Buntingford vs Melbourn
Which is better to live in? Distance: 9.6 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Melbourn is about 23% cheaper on average. Melbourn has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Melbourn edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Buntingford
£560,341
Melbourn
£454,427
Crime Rate
Buntingford
51.5
Melbourn
46.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Buntingford
75.0%
Melbourn
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Buntingford
336.1
Melbourn
384.7
EPC Rating
Buntingford
72.4
Melbourn
73.6
Median Income
Buntingford
£39,158
Melbourn
£36,933
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandThe average house price in Melbourn is £454,427, which is 23% less than Buntingford at £560,341. The most affordable entry point in Buntingford is a flat at £240,429, while in Melbourn it is a flat at £252,200.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: semi-detached homes are 23% pricier in Buntingford (£489,582 vs £397,602).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Buntingford prices grew faster — 25% vs 22%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandWith 46.1 offences per 1,000 people, Melbourn is the safer of the two – 12% lower than Buntingford's 51.5 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Buntingford is violent-crime, while in Melbourn it is violent-crime.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
Both towns share the same top crime category: violent crime.
Schools & Education
Best for schools in East of EnglandMelbourn has 100% of schools in the top two inspection bands, compared to 75% in Buntingford. Buntingford has 5 schools in total, while Melbourn has 2.
Buntingford School Inspection Breakdown
75% of 5 schools (3 primary, 2 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Melbourn School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Buntingford | Melbourn |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 5 | 2 |
| Primary | 3 | 1 |
| Secondary | 2 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 75% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Melbourn offers faster average downloads at 384.7 Mbps, compared to 336.1 Mbps in Buntingford. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 88.1% of premises in Buntingford and 94.5% in Melbourn. Gigabit availability stands at 62.7% in Buntingford and 72.7% in Melbourn.
Melbourn is the faster of the two by 14% on average download speed (385 vs 336 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Homes in Melbourn are more energy-efficient on average, with an EPC score of 73.6 (band C) versus 72.4 (band C) in Buntingford. Estimated annual energy costs average £1,149 in Buntingford and £1,142 in Melbourn. 71% of homes in Buntingford have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 72.2% in Melbourn.
Melbourn has more energy-efficient housing — 72.2% reach band C or above, vs 71% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £39,158 in Buntingford and £36,933 in Melbourn. The median age is 43.7 in Buntingford and 43.8 in Melbourn. Employment rates stand at 62.8% in Buntingford and 62.8% in Melbourn. Owner-occupancy is 67% in Buntingford versus 68.9% in Melbourn.
| Indicator | Buntingford | Melbourn |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,877 | 4,907 |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 43.8 |
| Median Household Income | £39,158 | £36,933 |
| Employment Rate | 62.8% | 62.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 67% | 68.9% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 40% | 39.8% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Buntingford and Melbourn?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Buntingford or Melbourn?
Is Buntingford or Melbourn safer?
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